Human Reproduction

Lisa Michalek

Puberty
Human reproduction is controlled by hormones
secreted by the gonads (testes and ovaries).
Puberty

The

time when hormones produce physical

changes in the human body that enable the
body to produce gametes.
These changes are called
secondary sex characteristics.
Males usually reach puberty at about 12-14.
Females usually reach puberty between the
ages of 10-14.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Female
Development

of breasts (mammary glands)

Changes in body form
Growth of body hair

Male
Growth

of beard and other body hair

Changes in body form
Lowered voice pitch

Male Reproductive System

Two major functions:

Production

of sperm
Deposition of sperm inside the
female reproductive tract.

The production of sperm

takes place in a pair of male
gonads called the testes.

The testes are held in a sac called the scrotum.

The

scrotum keeps the temperature of the testes one or two

degrees (C) cooler than normal body temperature.
This lower temperature is necessary for sperm production
and storage.

Male Reproductive System

Sperm leave the testes and pass through tubes

(vas deferens) to the urethra.
As the sperm passes through the tubes to the urethra,
fluids are secreted into the tubes by glands.
The

fluids provide the sperm

with the proper PH, supply
glucose for energy and provide
a liquid environment in which
the sperm can swim.
The mixture of fluid and sperm
is called semen.
The process by which sperm
pass out of the body is known
as ejaculation.

Male Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

The Female Reproductive System

produces eggs (ova) and is the
site of fertilization and embryonic
development.
The production of eggs takes
place in paired gonads called
ovaries.

The ovary produces eggs in structures called follicles.

Follicles

are tiny cavities surrounded by cells.

The release of a mature egg from a follicle is called
ovulation.

Female Reproductive System

Following ovulation, the

egg passes through an
oviduct (fallopian tube).
Then the egg moves to the
uterus.
The uterus, or womb, is
shaped like a pear and has thick walls.
The

embryo develops in the uterus.

The lower end of the uterus, the cervix, opens into a

muscular tube called the vagina.
The vagina is a muscular tube that leads from the
uterus to the outside.

Female Reproductive System

Fertilization
During sexual intercourse the penis becomes
erect for the transfer of sperm into the vagina.
After intercourse, the sperm cells swim through
the female reproductive tract and enter the
oviducts.
If they meet with an egg in the oviduct, the egg
and sperm cell may unite.
The fusion of a sperm cell nucleus and an egg
cell nucleus is known as fertilization
A fertilized egg is known as a zygote.

Fertilization
Fertilization generally occurs when the egg is in
the upper portion of the oviduct.
If the egg is not fertilized within about 24 hours
after ovulation, it breaks down and disappears.
Cleavage of the fertilized egg begins while the
egg is still in the oviduct.
Six to ten days later, the resulting embryo may
become implanted (attached) in the lining of the
uterus.

Fertilization

Fertilization
If more than one egg is released and fertilized
at the same time, multiple births may occur.
Fraternal twins develop when two eggs are
released at one time and each egg is fertilized
by a different sperm.
Identical twins develop from one zygote that
separates in half early in cleavage.
It is now possible for fertilization to take place
outside the human body (in vitro). The
fertilized egg is then implanted in the uterus so
that development can occur.

The Human Zygote

Fertilization

16 Cells

Two Cells

Morula Stage

Four Cells

Blastocyst Stage

Implantation

Prenatal Development

When the fertilized egg arrives in the uterus, it

implants itself in the thickened, spongy uterine wall.
The gastrula forms, differentiation of cells and growth
occurs.
The developing embryonic membranes become part
of the placenta and umbilical cord.
After eight weeks of development the embryo is called
the fetus.
The period of time between the fertilization of the egg
and the birth of the offspring is called gestation
In

humans the gestation period is nine months or

approximately 266 days.

Human Gestation

3 Weeks

Human Gestation

3 Months

Summary of Human Development

Prenatal Development
During this time, it is essential that the
expectant mother provide good prenatal care
by eating nutritious foods, avoiding alcohol,
tobacco, and drugs, and receiving proper
medical attention regularly.
Using tobacco, alcohol
and drugs may cause
low birth rates,
premature births,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
as well as other
birth defects.

Postnatal Development
Following birth, the
placenta is discarded
from the mothers body
and the mother begins
producing milk from
mammary glands
located in the breasts.
The mothers breast
milk is normally the
best natural food for
a newborn baby.

The Menstrual Cycle

Usually begins in females between the ages of 10 and

14.
It is repeated approximately every 28 days.
Hormones control the changes that occur in the
ovaries and uterus.
The menstrual cycle involves the release of a mature
egg from a follicle and the preparation of the uterus for
pregnancy.
The duration of each cycle may vary considerably, and
may be interrupted by illness and other factors.
The cycle stops during pregnancy.

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle has four stages:

follicle

stage
ovulation
corpus luteum stage
menstruation.

The cycle starts at puberty and ends at menopause.

The Menstrual Cycle

Follicle Stage
This stage lasts10-14 days
FSH from the pituitary gland stimulates
maturation of egg in follicle.
Estrogen from follicle stimulates thickening of
uterine lining.

Ovulation
Mature egg released from follicle.
FSH production inhibited by estrogen, which
stimulates release of LH by the pituitary gland.

Corpus Luteum Stage

This stage lasts10-12 days
Burst follicle develops into corpus luteum, which
produces progesterone.
Progesterone stimulates further thickening of
uterine lining.

Menstruation

If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone secretion

decrease, and uterine lining degenerates.
Tissue and blood are discharged from body.

Human Reproductive Disorders

Sexually transmitted diseases may be transmitted by

both males and females and may cause sterility or
death if not treated by a competent physician.
Some sexually transmitted diseases in humans are
syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and AIDS.

Human Reproductive Disorders

Prostate enlargement and cancer are other
disorders associated with the human
reproductive tract.
Prostate enlargement is most common in males
over 40 years of age.
Breast cancer is a major cause of death of
women who are 25-45 years of age.

Contraception